2 Samuel 14

1So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was concerned a about Absalom.2And Joab sent to b Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, "Please pretend to be a mourner, c and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.3"Go to the king and speak to him in this manner." So Joab d put the words in her mouth.

4And when the woman of Tekoa 1 spoke to the king, she e fell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself, and said, f "Help, O king!"5Then the king said to her, "What troubles you?" And she answered, g "Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead.6"Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him.7"And now the whole family has risen up against your maidservant, and they said, 'Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may execute him h for the life of his brother whom he killed; and we will destroy the heir also.' So they would extinguish my ember that is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the earth."

8Then the king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you."9And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, "My lord, O king, let i the 2 iniquity be on me and on my father's house, j and the king and his throne be guiltless."10So the king said, "Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you anymore."11Then she said, "Please let the king remember the LORD your God, and do not permit k the avenger of blood to destroy anymore, lest they destroy my son." And he said, l "As the LORD lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground."

12Therefore the woman said, "Please, let your maidservant speak another word to my lord the king." And he said, "Say on."13So the woman said: "Why then have you schemed such a thing against m the people of God? For the king speaks this thing as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring n his banished one home again.14"For we o will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not p take away a life; but He q devises means, so that His banished ones are not 3 expelled from Him.15"Now therefore, I have come to speak of this thing to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. And your maidservant said, 'I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his maidservant.16'For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the r inheritance of God.'17"Your maidservant said, 'The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for s as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in t discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.' "

18Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not hide from me anything that I ask you." And the woman said, "Please, let my lord the king speak."19So the king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" And the woman answered and said, "As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and u he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant.20"To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, v according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth."

21And the king said to Joab, "All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom."22Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and 4 thanked the king. And Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant."23So Joab arose w and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.24And the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but x do not let him see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face.

25Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. y From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.26And when he cut the hair of his head - at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him - when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king's standard.27z To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.

28And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, a but did not see the king's face.29Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come.30So he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire." And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.31Then Joab arose and came to Absalom's house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"32And Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent to you, saying, 'Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still." ' Now therefore, let me see the king's face; but b if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me."33So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king c kissed Absalom.

Cross ReferencesGenesis 38:12
Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
2 Samuel 12:19
When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead.
2 Samuel 12:23
"But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."

Cross References2 Samuel 13:39
And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

Cross References2 Samuel 23:26
Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite.
2 Chronicles 11:6
And he built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa.
Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Cross ReferencesRuth 3:3
Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.

Cross ReferencesExodus 4:15
Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.
2 Samuel 14:19
So the king said, " Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" And the woman answered and said, " As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant.

Cross References1 Samuel 20:41
As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.
1 Samuel 25:23
Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground.
2 Samuel 1:2
On the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.

Cross References2 Kings 6:26
Then, as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, "Help, my lord, O king!
2 Kings 6:28
Then the king said to her, "What is troubling you?" And she answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.

Cross ReferencesZechariah 7:10
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.

Cross ReferencesNumbers 35:19
The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
Deuteronomy 19:12
Then the elders of his city shall send and bring him from there, and deliver him over to the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
Deuteronomy 19:13
Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.

Cross ReferencesGenesis 27:13
But his mother said to him, " Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.
Genesis 43:9
I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
1 Samuel 25:24
So she fell at his feet and said: "On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant.
Matthew 27:25
And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children.

Cross References2 Samuel 3:28
Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
2 Samuel 3:29
"Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread."
1 Kings 2:33
"Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the LORD."

Cross ReferencesNumbers 35:19
The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
Numbers 35:21
Or in enmity he strikes him with his hand so that he dies, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
Deuteronomy 19:4 - 10
And this is the case of the manslayer who flees there, that he may live: Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, not having hated him in time past -

Cross References1 Samuel 14:45
But the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
1 Kings 1:52
Then Solomon said, "If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.
Matthew 10:30
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Acts 27:34
"Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you."

Cross ReferencesJudges 20:2
And the leaders of all the people, all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand foot soldiers who drew the sword.

Cross References2 Samuel 13:37
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
2 Samuel 13:38
So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

Cross ReferencesJob 30:23
For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.
Job 34:15
All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

Cross ReferencesJob 34:19
Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.
Matthew 22:16
And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.
Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Romans 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.

Cross ReferencesNumbers 35:15
These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there.

Cross ReferencesDeuteronomy 32:9
For the LORD's portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.
1 Samuel 26:19
"Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.'
2 Samuel 20:19
"I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"

Cross References1 Samuel 29:9
Then Achish answered and said to David, "I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.
2 Samuel 19:27
And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.

Cross References1 Kings 3:9
"Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

Cross References2 Samuel 14:3
Go to the king and speak to him in this manner." So Joab put the words in her mouth.

Cross References2 Samuel 14:17
"Your maidservant said, 'The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.'"
2 Samuel 19:27
And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.

Cross References2 Samuel 13:37
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
2 Samuel 13:38
So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

Cross ReferencesGenesis 43:3
But Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.
2 Samuel 3:13
And David said, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.

Cross ReferencesDeuteronomy 28:35
The LORD will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.
Job 2:7
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Isaiah 1:6
From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment.

Cross References2 Samuel 13:1
After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Samuel 18:18
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which is in the King's Valley. For he said, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." He called the pillar after his own name. And to this day it is called Absalom's Monument.

Cross References2 Samuel 14:24
And the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face.

Cross References1 Samuel 20:8
"Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. Nevertheless, if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?"
Proverbs 28:13
He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Notes

2 Samuel 14:1 - 33

So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was concerned about Absalom.
And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, "Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.
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